Meticulously crafted and deeply felt, Joey announces itself via the title track- a devastating meditation on identity. As soon as the line “If I were born a boy, they were gonna call me Joey” lands, the record begins sprawling out in increasingly stunning displays of doubt, self-examination, and- finally- defiantly unwavering strength. That strength is gained through self-confidence, sense of purpose, and towering conviction; three elements that seep through Joey‘s embattled veins, even at its most intentionally ugly moments (the guitarwork in the back half of “Mornings After Nights Like Those” is nothing short of brilliant). As the record progresses, with an endless stream of stunning songs cascading down on whoever’s fortunate enough to have hit play, the personal trials that Douglas had to face become a concrete subtext which winds up cloaking the affair in a layer of understated sadness, even at its most celebratory peaks.

— Steven Spoerl, Heartbreaking Bravery

(click to read)

-------------------- PRESS FOR SUMMER VALENTINE --------------------

Summer Valentine recalls the deceitful serenity of indie pop’s slightest masterpieces, the ones you might put on for a chill, dimmed-light evening without full disclosure of their gloomy significance. It takes after Sharon Van Etten’s Tramp (2012), an outwardly calmed record of personal musings on homelessness, later related for a sympathetic backing band, and the fleeting conflicts Sufjan Stevens dealt with on Seven Swans (2004). Like those artists, Tica Douglas’ record has the feel of a song cycle without ever committing to being one. Its themes are vague, more meditative than explicit, but it secretly harbours tales of displacement and a servitude to fate that’s impossible to shake. Hence Summer Valentine: Douglas asserts her record as one of confused internal traumas, of the kind of seasonal dislocation that comes from making and experiencing music in too many places, and over an excessively long period of time. The result is a fascinating collection of songs that lives within, but also climbs out of, the conventions of a great indie pop record.

Brooklyn solo artist Tica Douglas is about to release one of the most earnest and solemn records of the year with Summer Valentine, out on May 28. Like fellow Mainer Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, Douglas approaches songwriting with honesty, stunning banjo-infused instrumentation, and lyrics that could rip your heart to shreds

— The Wild Honey Pie

It’s clear that a lot of attention was placed on the intricately and well thought out composition of each song. The little details and effects added to each track, along with superb and relatable songwriting, is what gives Tica Douglas an edge.

— Indie Shuffle

I was stunned by how lovely the record is. It’s almost like Joni Mitchell having listened to a lot of Sigur Ros. But then, these descriptions are always kind of silly. All that matters is that you’ll love it.

— Ken Scrudato, FILTER

“Dark and Dreary” is sweeping all on its own, and when paired with its video, leaves behind an indelible, beautiful ache proving that Tica Douglas has done her job very well.

— The Wild Honey Pie

With one listen of SAINTS I was hooked. Think Sharon Van Etten meets The Cranberries.

— DaniYrselfClean

Tica Douglas is an indie folk artist with a distinct voice and songwriting style influenced by the male artists of her parents generation, namely the Beatles, Brian Wilson and Bob Dylan. Especially Dylan. These uncategorisable voices “furnished her musical imagination and gave her hope” as Tica grew up and developed as a songwriter.

Just last month Tica released a stellar full-length album, Summer Valentine. It features nine songs which explore two landscapes: Tica’s hometown on the coast of Maine, and an old barn house upstate in Patterson, NY

— Autostraddle.com

Moved to Brooklyn a few years ago, it’s been a while since the songwriter Tica Douglas has played around her home town. She and her glib, bracingly honest folk songs — they once sounded like Moldy Peaches without the preciousness — were already extremely personable. Yet it seems they’ve acquired a fair amount of refinement over the years, and the real Tica taking shape is even better.

— Portland Phoenix

Summer is really made for couples isn’t it, and this is a melancholic, bittersweet taste of that ideal, to be filed alongside Cat Power and even Sharon Van Etten

— Music Broke My Bones (UK)

Musically, there’s hints of Mazzy Star and Feist amidst the fragile longing of the track, which builds around Douglas’ stunning vocals